Illinois

Beyond Chicago’s Skyline: Luxury in DuPage County

Illinois

Beyond Chicago’s Skyline: Luxury in DuPage County

Pristine golf courses, world-class dining, luxurious resorts and shops selling top designer labels are just a few of the reasons to visit DuPage County in Illinois.

The main motive, however, is that even though DuPage County is only half an hour outside of Chicago, everything listed above is available at a fraction of what you would pay in the big city.

Golf and Luxury Resorts

There are more than 50 golf courses in DuPage County, and several are at full-service resorts. All of the greens are immaculate and surrounded by sparkling lakes and majestic trees. Although I’m not a golf enthusiast, that didn’t stop me from staying at a resort to be immersed in luxury. From the tranquility of spas and quality of accommodations to the ambiance of the restaurants, staying at one of DuPage County’s resorts is pure indulgence, and we all deserve some of that.

Experience

In addition to enjoying the comfort of your resort, there are plenty of other places to visit. The award-winning Lynfred Winery was Illinois’ first winery and doubles as a bed-and-breakfast. There are four suites, and each is exquisitely designed in a different theme – American, Italian, German and French. They are all gorgeous and stocked with wine, fruit and cheese. Speaking of the wine, let’s just say that I tried several at the Lynfred Winery, and they were all excellent.

My next stop was at one of the many incredible shopping centers in DuPage County, where you can find name brands, such as Burberry, Coach, Tiffany’s, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani and TAG Heuer. And the best part is that the prices are less than you would expect. Save some room in your suitcase or buy an extra one; it will be worth it!

Over a coffee at the mall, a fellow shopper told me about a polo match at Oak Brook. It’s been around for more than 80 years and is exciting to watch. World-class teams come every summer to play on the immaculate grounds, and the U.S. Polo Open was played there for 25 years from 1954 to 1978, the longest the tournament has ever been played in one location. I suggest that you plan a stay in DuPage County to include a Sunday in the summertime so you can go check it out.

After my shopping spree, I needed the culture offered at Cantigny Park, which is so much more than a public park. Cantigny was an experimental farm in the 1930s, and the estate once belonged to Robert McCormick. There are two museums, the McCormick Museum and the First Division Museum. The McCormick takes you through the life of McCormick, the famous editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune, and the military museum shows you U.S. history through the eyes of a soldier. After the museums, I strolled around the 202-hectare park and enjoyed the natural beauty and landscaping.

To end my day in DuPage, it was time to enjoy the area’s renowned cuisine. After being told that every dining experience in DuPage has world-class standards, I knew whichever restaurant I picked, it would be the perfect ending to a perfectly indulgent day.